El Defensor Chieftain

08/01/2024

Don't forget to pick up your copy today!

Inside we have articles on the new Socorro athletic director, Socorro county 4-H, the Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon, Back-to-school info, a feature on the documentary Way Out There and of course all the city and county news to keep you informed.

Thanks for reading!

07/30/2024

Nobody knows the west like True West Magazine and its readers are saying the Concho Hills Guest Ranch in Magdalena is their choice as the 2024 Best of the West Heritage Guest Ranch. Congratulations to owners Tim and Marilyn Norris on this outstanding accomplishment.

The Concho Hills Ranch's real-life experience of Western heritage is why owners Tim and Marilyn Norris have been recognized by True West Magazine as the 2024 reader's choice Best of

07/30/2024

BREAKING NEWS: Socorro Electric Co-op announced Joseph Herrera has put in his resignation.

Socorro Electric Cooperative (SEC) General Manager Joseph Herrera resigned Monday from his position to pursue other interests. He has been with the co-op for 13 years.

07/29/2024

Last Monday the Jones Law Firm of Santa Fe served notice to Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker and City Clerk Polo Pineda it planned to file a claim pursuant to the New Mexico Civil Rights Act on behalf of the Socorro Electric Cooperative.

Monday the Jones Law Firm of Santa Fe served notice to Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker and City Clerk Polo Pineda it planned to file a claim pursuant to the New

07/29/2024

Farm fresh produce, baked goods, home-sewn purses, candles, pain-reliefing salves. and a budding YouTube star are just some of the things you can find at Datil's Mini Market on Thursdays from 10-1 p.m.

Seeing a need and having the desire to market their farm-fresh produce and homemade health products, the Vasti and Rudy Flores family started the Datil Mini Market on Thursdays along

07/28/2024

What is your favorite part of the new mural at the Socorro Pool?

Seven-year-old Elcarim Padilla told the EDC she loved the stingrays.

A new vibrant underwater mural at the city pool has captured the attention and imagination of the public.

07/27/2024

While he’s only been involved with glass blowing for three years, Richard Richards has already gained a reputation for his work glasswork flowers and the marbles that are becoming his passion.
On Saturday, Richards was set up out front of A Dispensary Near Me on Manzanares Street in Socorro, demonstrating his skills and trying to finish a delicate floral piece against the backdrop of an approaching rainstorm.

While he’s only been involved with glass blowing for three years, Richard Richards has already gained a reputation for his work glasswork flowers and the marbles that are becoming his

07/26/2024

Magdalena Steers juniors Javen Tafoya and Ayden Herschbach have been named to the New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-State baseball teams after their performances in the 2024 baseball season.

07/26/2024

Former Socorro High School graduate returns as the principal.

“I’m very happy to serve here; for me, it’s a privilege and an honor to be here,” Elizabeth Rivera said.

In the early 90s, Elizabeth Rivera walked the halls of Socorro High School as a student, an athlete, and even as a prom queen. Now, 30 years later, she is

07/25/2024

Catch up on all the local news in this week's edition. Out in the stands today!

07/23/2024

"This is all from the fall planting last October," Boyd said, waist-deep in a field at the Bosque. "This is nice stuff, and if you walk through these fields, you see a lot of insects, which is great. You'll also see a lot of birds eating the insects. What we're trying to do is create a really natural environment that is self-supporting, and this is looking pretty good."

The Bosque del Apache is celebrating regenerative agriculture this week. On Wednesday, a free movie called "Common Ground" will be shown at Loma Theatre, and free workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

https://www.dchieftain.com/the-promise-of-regenerative-agriculture-at-the-bosque-del-apache/article_d19f1e72-3f05-11ef-93a2-43dce3778893.html -source=home-featured-7-block

07/23/2024

DINNER AND A DRIVE - Even after launching a successful catering and event company in Seattle, Washington Michal Gola and Osiris Navarro found themselves longing for something different. A road trip through the Southwest and New Mexico led to one of those "thunderstruck" moments. They found themselves staring at a building people had been ignoring for ten years. The structure wasn't even for sale, but as Navarro puts it, "We saw this building, and we figured it out." https://www.dchieftain.com/community/dinner-and-a-drive-a-thunder-struck-moment-led-to-magdalenas-tumbleweeds/article_936e98ea-489b-11ef-862f-83a526159fe1.html

07/15/2024

Eight Socorro County cadets took part in the Civil Air Patrol's annual summer encampment on the campus of New Mexico Tech. Socorro's Eryn Esquibel was named the Outstanding Cadet Noncommissioned Officer.

Eight Socorro County cadets took part in the Civil Air Patrol's annual summer encampment on the campus of New Mexico Tech. The program is designed to give cadets a better

07/13/2024

The numbers are good headed into the 2024 volleyball season. Still, Socorro is in rebuilding mode after graduation wiped out the Lady Warriors roster, leaving the team with just one senior this year.

The numbers are good headed into the 2024 volleyball season. Still, Socorro is in rebuilding mode after graduation wiped out the Lady Warriors roster, leaving the team with just one

07/06/2024

DINNER AND A DRIVE: A couple slices of Pie Town, New Mexico. Even though the mine never panned out, they've been "digging up" gold in Pie Town, New Mexico since the 1920s and you can have your slice, too.

Silver and gold miner Clyde Norman struck it rich in the mid-1920s, but it wasn't precious metals that put money in his pocket – it was pies made from dried

07/03/2024

GIVEAWAY: Stop by our office today and get two free tickets to the Isotopes game (July 9) with each purchase of a newspaper, until supplies last!

07/01/2024

The skies over Socorro saw glider flight after glider flight last week as Civil Air Patrol cadets worked toward becoming certified pilots as part of a program sponsored by the CAP and the U.S. Air Force.
It's an elite brotherhood in the CAP, where the cadets work toward different career goals while also supporting each other along the way.

The skies over Socorro saw glider flight after glider flight last week as Civil Air Patrol cadets worked toward becoming certified pilots as part of a program sponsored by the

06/30/2024

PHOTO GALLERY: Frontier Festival 2024
Magdalena was crowded with gunfighters and cowboys today.
https://www.dchieftain.com/community/frontier-festival/collection_7ecd7194-3677-11ef-accd-33b6123550a3.html -source=home-featured-7-block

06/29/2024

Master saddle maker and leather craftsman Tony Perille is keeping the West alive one stitch at a time. The Pie Town saddle maker has become a true artist whose creations have a year-long waiting list. He's also been in a movie or two you might recognize.
https://www.dchieftain.com/news/tony-perille-silver-creek-saddle-companys-self-taught-master-saddle-maker/article_a42827de-33f9-11ef-b9eb-3bc771d16dbc.html

06/28/2024

Gunfights, rodeo and a matanza are on the agenda for the sixth annual Frontier Festival in Magdalena on Saturday. “We’ve got gun fighters this year. They’re gonna rob a safe, they’re gonna rob a rail car, and they’re gonna shoot up the town.” Jim Sauer, Frontier Festival organizer, said.

Gunfights, rodeo and a matanza are on the agenda for the sixth annual Frontier Festival in Magdalena on Saturday.

06/27/2024

The Socorro school board tabbed an interim superintendent today after rescinding Ron Hendrix's on Monday.
https://www.dchieftain.com/community/school-board-votes-to-offer-interim-position-to-tucker/article_2e5571e0-34d7-11ef-9ccb-ebb3f6f69c1b.html

06/27/2024

From now until July 1, buy a ticket and enter a drawing to meet Neal McCoy!

06/27/2024

IN THE STANDS TODAY: You'll find our Cowboy Country inside this week's paper featuring our local ranchers, cowboys and cowgirls!

06/27/2024

The historic Eagle Guest Ranch is the heart of Datil, New Mexico, and its owners, Blaine and Jacquie Atwood, are famous for their steaks and home-style hospitality.

06/25/2024

A BIG CHANGE: On Monday, the Socorro School Board unanimously voted to rescind superintendent Ron Hendrix's contract and placed him on leave. The board then announced a meeting to appoint an interim superintendent and discuss the selection of a new one. We just don't know why.

Socorro School’s superintendent, Ron Hendrix, expressed shock at the notice of his termination on Monday.

06/21/2024

He floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, but no one was loved more than Mohammad Ali. The People’s Champion came to Socorro in 1976, and we’ve got some untold tales from those who met him to share with you.

When Muhammad Ali spent nearly a week in Socorro in 1976 as part of Dick Gregory's Food Run, he proved himself to be the "People's Champion indeed" as he charmed

06/21/2024

Featuring a cast of Socorro County children the Missoula Children’s Theatre presented two productions of Pied Piper for a delighted public at the Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus on Saturday. We've got a story and lots of photos for you.
https://www.dchieftain.com/arts-entertainment/local-casts-steals-the-show-during-pied-piper-performance/article_c299b9b2-2ff3-11ef-987f-c7e2aeb44bdd.html

06/19/2024

HELP FOR RUIDOSO: Link to a regularly updated article with information on where to make donations, how to volunteer, shelter locations and services. Please email [email protected] or message us with any additional resources.

Socorro County, the City of Socorro and local groups are coordinating efforts and resources to assist Ruidoso evacuees of the Salt and South Fork Fires.

06/11/2024

According to the Catron County release, following the business meeting at 12:30 p.m. there will be a discussion specifically related to Mexican Grey Wolf predation and/or removal on private property with U.S. Fish and Wildlife presenting proper procedures and response of private parties.

Catron County Commision will have it’s regular meeting at 9 a.m. on June 12 held at the Catron County Fair building at 75 The Lane, Reserve, NM. According to the Catron County release, following the business meeting at 12:30 p.m. there will be a discussion specifically related to Mexican Grey Wolf...